Description

Get to grips with the good, the bad and the ugly of Australian
politics! Whether you're a seasoned political punter or a voting
novice, this is your essential guide to understanding politics in
Australia. Master the ins and outs of elections, parties and
policies, and learn to discuss the big issues in no time. You have
to vote — now learn whyand how.

Decipher political terminology — clear explanations of the
houses of parliament, voting systems and more

Learn how Australia's political system evolved — how
Westminster and Washington were combined to produce
'Washminster'

Appreciate parliamentary roles — what the Whips do and
just what the Usher of the Black Rod is

Find out who holds the purse strings — how federal and
state governments work out who pays for what

Understand how political parties work — the differences
between Labor and Liberal, and what coalition politics is

Discover what's meant by the balance of power — how minor
parties and independents contribute to politics

Determine how your vote is counted — the difference
between preferential voting and proportional representation

Work out the media's role — how the media reports,
interprets and sways political outcomes

Open the book and find:

Key points about past and current political hot topics

Explanations of the Australian Constitution, including the
crisis of 1975